synergyhomecare-eastvalley

Guilt and Fear

I am writing this post with a little less to really communicate that normal, but I feel that it is very important for everyone to really understand.  The purposes of this blog is for me to share with you the importance of asking for and communicating about forgiveness to your loved ones.  Many times I am on the telephone with a son or daughter talking about how their loved one needs assistance in home.  What I don't know at that time is how active the caller has been with their loved ones life lately.  This only runs into problems when there has been a lot of distance in the relationship.  Obviously there is care and concern for the caller's loved one or they wouldn't be making the call to us.  However, what they fail to tell me is how involved they've been or not been.  They also fail to tell their loved one how much they mean to them regardless of the past performance, or lack there of.  The caller is always much, much better suited for getting the desired solutions and becoming part of their loved ones lives again if they only spoke about the past, asked for forgiveness and talked about moving forward - regardless of how active they are going to be. 

What we see is that when you talk about the past, only briefly and admit the shortcomings, then ask for forgiveness to those shortcomings and how you won't let them happen again - it's a clean slate and the desired solution of achieving the in home care for your loved one is resolved and you now have the peace of mind to move forward.  If the three steps aren't taken or taken seriously the process fails since the genuine desire to assist is masked by ones pride, selfishness or something else.  Let's not let ourselves get in the way of caring for our loved ones.  Let's do what we need to do to move forward safely and confidently for everyone's peace of mind.  It can, does and will happen many more times - I just hope you are one of them. 

We Are All Dealing With the Same Things

I'm writing and posting this blog later that I usually do.  Why?  I have a lot of things on my head and one of them is the caring for loved ones.  We are all alike and all like and dislike the same things.  I simply happen to write this blog.  I am right now trying to figure out how to balance all of my work items that need to be done with my personal items and now caring for my loved one, which is only slightly more than normal rather what many of you are going through.  How can I?  How do I?  I know...wait!  UUURRGGGHHH!

Ok, relax and take some of my own advice that I've given to many of you throughout this blog.  Is there anyone out there that can help?  I there anyone out there that does what I am overloaded with to assist?  OK, in my case I have about three things that I can off-load and really only needing to off-load one.  AH, a quick moment away on the internet and I find a couple of folks that can help me - or they say they can with one item and a laundry list of folks that can help me off-load a second item.  Perhaps I can allow somebody to hepl with both giving me the time I need to be son, father and husband....yeah, that's it I will do that in the morning because after I am gone - I'm hoping that son, father and husband sum up my life's work. 

Long Term Care Insurance, Purchase or Not?

I get a lot of question from folks every week but there is one that keeps coming up almost each week.  The question comes from families of loved ones on whether or not they should consider the purchase of long term care insurance.  To many of my questions I have a definite answer, but to this one, it comes with a lot of assumptions.   I will try to assist the masses but please be aware of the assumptions and speak to a professional about your specific conditions. 

First, let me start by saying, if you are asking me if your parents should have purchased long term care insurance I would most certainly say yes.  The reason, you are talking to me about their care and their health has lasted well enough to require some long term care.  Each case really is however, very different.  If you think that you are going to live long enough then yes.  Second, if your have relatives that live long lives than yes, I would say it's a good idea in those situations as well.  Lastly, if you are simply buying it to preserve your nest egg, then yes buy it for that reason too.  Long term care insurance is not unlike any other insurance, you may pay for it for a long time and only use it once or twice, but it's the peace of mind that it buys that will go a long way for you. 

Considering the purchase of long term care insurance is something that should be considered with professionals that assist you with your financial plans, wealth management and retirement plans.  Long term care insurance is extremely valuable if you ever need it, but weighing the need is always the question. 

It's Our Job

I find this post very easy to write but also very concerning to write.  Let me first start with why it's concerning to me to write this post.  Like every other industry there are those that are in the business for business and not for the passion.  In most industries and businesses that is OK, say in the retail business when you are buying a pair of shoes.  If you feel that the price of the shoes you are interested in buy is acceptable, you'll buy them regardless if the business is making 2% profit or 500%.  However, home care is not shoes.  People are created to be special individuals all with unique traits, skills and abilities. 

It is these differences in businesses that concern me, when one services people for the business and not for the priveledge.  Decisions in home care businesses need to be made with the client in mind first not the business.  The client is often afraid and fearful, perhaps for the first time they are needing assistance performing daily living tasks and are vulnerable.  Why are so many clients than treated like a number and not a customer?  Is it for the business?  The phenomena is not just for those seniors that need assistance with daily living activities but really for any group of seniors in general.  Why are we so willing to forget their needs and their call?  We should hold them in much higher praises for it is them that helped make this great country what it is today.  But we need to step up and help them.  We need to encourage them that their voices can and will be heard if they talk. 

Advocacy is a serious part of home care and a serious part of the call for what makes us do what we do.  We hope there is a little paying it forward going on, but more importantly we hope to find like minded people when we are in need. 

The Journey Is Underway

Once again, Happy New Year to everyone!  Let's not forget all of the great things we promised to ourselves this year as the clock turned to 2011.  Those promises were made, I hope, in good faith and if they were they can really change our self in 2011.  So, why do we make those promises?  It's because those are the things we didn't get done in 2010 or have been putting off for many years.  Sound close to home?  I bet it does as those are mine reasons. 

So, with the beginnig of 2011 now less than one week old, the routine has resumed for almost everyone.  In the routine, though, lets not forget what we promised ourselves.  Let's get it done, together.  If I can be of any help to anyone, in keeping those promises, let me know by replying to this blog post (posting a comment, comments are not automatically shown) and we'll begin our journey together. 

Let's Start With New Ideas

It's 2011 and we've made ourselves a lot of promises about how 2011 will be different than 2010 or other years past.  But, this year IS going to be different.  The one thing that we will do differently is take more time for ourselves while still getting done all the things we hold dear.  One of the things we all hold dear is caring for love ones.  It is this that often consumes more than just our spare time, it consumes a lot of time that also takes away from ourselves and our overall well-being.  We can still get all of this done by simply off loading some of the caring responsibilities to professionals. 

By off loading some of the responsibilities of caring for a loved one we are able to accomplish a lot more.  A professional caregiver will be able to offer an impartial view of how your loved one in progressing or declining.  The caregiver will also give you the time now to be a son or daughter, because the household chores, personal care and meal preparation is done!  In addition to that, you now have some free time knowing that your loved one is cared for to do something for yourself - going to the gym, reading a book or taking care of your own laundry.  In fact, many times son's and daughter's of clients like the service so much our caregivers assist them with household chore items to give them even more time.  In short, the services of a professional caregiver will give you a lot more time to take care of the thing that is most dear to you, yourself.  So, plan to live a long life by taking some time for yourself while still ensuring your loved one has all they need. 

 

Happy New Year!

The year 2010 was a difficult year for many people and for everyone suffering and struggling our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to you.  The world has eaten up many good people with it's ferocious appetite.  But one thing nobody can ignore, we are all stronger as a person.  The challenges of 2010 have brought change that many didn't want to see yet experienced.  That change made all of us into new people.  As we leave 2010 we do indeed say 'Good-Bye' with pleasure and hello to 2011!

2011 will be the land of new opportunities for all that have learned and experienced.  We have changed our minds, hearts and capabilities to account for the new 'frontier'.  OK, maybe not that grand but a new beginning nonetheless.  No matter what age we are or what we do day to day, let us open our eyes to a new 2011.  Let's all put down the walls built through time that have hardened us and move forward into 2011 with new minds and thoughts open to all possibilities. 

For those that get up and go to school each day, may your minds be sponges capable of absorbing all information to change the world.

For those that get up and go to school each day, may you hearts put aside conflict and distractions to make you results powerful and organization successful.

For those that get up and have done both school and work, may your hearts and minds take pride in accomplishments and work well done and accept yourself for who you are - a great person with many jobs well done. 

Regardless, let us look forward to 2011 and make it a great year!

Being Sons and Daughters, Not Caregivers

I was just speaking with the family member of a client who called to thank us for our service.  It's always great to get those calls but the spirit of the call was far more than simply for the service.  It was really for the information we shared with after becoming a client.  The family was caring for their loved one and it was taking a toll on them.  The stress of on-going care and balancing work and other family responsibilities were being managed but with some frazzled edges.  At first this family was simply calling to see if we can watch their loved one while they took a long weekend break.  We were happy to step in and coming back from their weekend they were all smiles. 

At that moment we started talking to them about keeping this feeling for their loved one every day.  For it was at that time we saw that would gladly provide any need to their loved one happily - more than other times.  We spoke to the family about an on-going caregiver helping out daily so that they can resume being the son and daughter.  Eyebrows raised they continued to listen. 

One month later everyone is far happier as the son/daughter relationship has been restored and the extra help that they give when the caregiver is present makes their loved one feel like royalty.  How better to make us all feel, wanted and honored as a father or mother.  Please consider being a son and daughter.  Please consider letting a caregiver be a caregiver. 

Just Be Yourself

Over the weekend I was watching one of my favorite channels, Discovery Channel, when a program about the USS Ronald Reagan caught my attention for a few minutes in between conversations with my young daughter.  What I heard that struck me as amazing is that the aircraft carrier has two 50 ton rudders to help steer the ship.  Isn't that simply amazing?  The technology and knowledge that has put a ship of that size together is impressive to me.  What is also impressive to me is that all of the people that helped design the ship, build it and work on it are sons, daughter, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunt and uncles.  So, why don't they just stay that way as sons and daughters...?

Life is complex like that ship and it does indeed throw you curve balls every now and then.  But, when those moments happen, be the son and daughter and spend time with your loved one as a son and daughter.  Being a caregiver to a loved one does indeed put a twist on a relationship that is often unexpected.  Let SYNERGY HomeCarebe the caregivers so you can be the son and daughter.  I know you'll be happy with being a son or daughter knowing that all the responsibility is not yours.  I also know your loved one will feel relieved knowing they don't solely count on you with your busy life. 

We Are Your Eyes and Ears

Yesterday it was reported that Beau Biden, the Attorney General for the State of Delaware was rushed to the hospital after displaying symptoms of a stroke.  As it stands right now from latest reports, it appears as though Beau is making a significant recovery.  This is truly great news!  It appears as though medical care was provided to Beau fast enough to combat side effects and speed recovery. 

The significant part of the story for me is not that modern medicine can reverse or minimize some effects, for today's doctors can help folks just shy of miracles.  But what is important is the speed at which Beau was taken to the hospital.  I'm sure the Attorney General has significant number of folks around him at every moment that can notice changes in conditions, but you can too! 

With a SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver providing care to you a call can be placed equally as fast to emergency support with changes in condition.  With this specific example, a SYNERGY HomeCare caregiver could have made the same call to 911 for Beau as his co-workers did.  So, if you are concerned about you day to day health conditions changing the way you live, call SYNERGY HomeCare.  A SYNERGY caregiver can be a tremendous peace of mind.  Call (480) 377-6770 to speak with a home care professional.